Australia: Splash Back back against females in Tattersall’s Tiara Stakes

The Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara Stakes at Eagle Farm Racecourse in Australia on Saturday is the third consecutive appearance in a Group 1 sprint for the 6-year-old mare Splash Back.

Even though Splash Back will race at the highest level, the Tattersall’s Tiara provides a measure of class relief.

Splash Back, a two-time Group 2 winner in the last year, has run in fierce company at Eagle Farm in the last month. She was ninth by 2 1/2 lengths in the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup on May 30, and sixth by 3 1/4 lengths in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap on June 13.

Those sprints were against males, while the $484,000 Tattersall’s Tiara Stakes at seven furlongs is for fillies and mares.

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A closer, Splash Back won as recently as May 2 in the Group 2 Victory Stakes against males at six furlongs. She has won three times at seven furlongs in her 22-race career, which includes eight wins.

Splash Back, Gerringong and Tuileries were 5-1 co-favorites as of Thursday in a field of 17 that lacked a definite leading runner. For Gerringong and Tuileries, the Tattersall’s Tiara Stakes is their first appearance in a Group 1.

Gerringong, winless in her last 12 starts, was second by about a neck in the Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs at Eagle Farm on June 13 in her first start for trainers Chris and Corey Munce.

Tuileries has won two Group 3 races at minor venues this year, including the Dark Jewel Stakes at seven furlongs at Scone Racecourse on May 16, her last start. Tuileries, a winner of 5 of 14 starts in her career, tends to run from off the pace.

They must catch Manaal, a Group 1 winner as a Southern Hemisphere 2-year-old in April 2024 who has developed a tendency to race as a stalker in recent starts. Manaal overcame traffic issues in the stretch to finish a good third in the Group 2 Moreton Cup at six furlongs at Eagle Farm on June 6.

The Tattersall’s Tiara has a post time of 1:58 a.m. Eastern on Saturday or 10:58 p.m. Pacific on Sunday.
 

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